The Difference Between Exterior and Interior Shutters: Guide for Chicago Homeowners

July 05, 2017

Chicago Illinois exterior and interior shutters

Plantation shutters can go almost anywhere – in any Chicago home, in any space, on any window, and even on the outside of your house– and that’s where some confusion can occur.

Exterior and interior shutters are totally different products, and if you’re not aware of the differences, you might spend a lot of time or money shopping around for something that isn’t what you need. Here’s what you need to know.

Exterior Shutters

First off, we have to state that Sunburst Shutters Chicago does not build or sell exterior shutters. Rather, our area of expertise is in fashionable interior shutters for the home.

Outdoor shutters tend to serve one of two purposes: they’re either purely for looks as a complement to your home’s siding, or they’re industrial strength “hurricane shutters,” designed to protect your windows from debris during intense weather.

Decorative exterior shutters tend to look great on very specific home styles, like Mediterranean homes. Hurricane shutters are somewhat rare except in a few parts of the U.S., and most hurricane shutters don’t even look like what you envision when you think of shutters, and instead look like large metal sheets.

For those outdoor shutters that do open and shut on your window, they don’t tend to have a lot of functionality. They can’t make a seal to block heat and their louvers (if they exist) usually can’t be adjusted. Despite all that, exterior shutters can add a much-needed color accent to your home.

Think About Exterior Shutters If:

You get heavy storms in your area and need to protect your windows.
You want to add a splash of color to the outside of your house.
You have enough space around your windows to install exterior shutters.

Interior Shutters

Interior shutters are our area of expertise, and they’re the optimum window covering in combining fashion and functionality. Installed directly in or above your window frame, indoor shutters become a piece of your home the moment they’re installed. And unlike outdoor shutters, interior shutters are able to go on any window, anywhere in your home.

The style that high quality plantation shutters give your space is unequaled, and shutters are incredibly flexible. Interior shutters can beautifully accent any style of home; from historic Cape Cod homes to contemporary apartments, and have an assortment of colors, textures, and frame options to fit your personal style.

On the practical side, plantation shutters may be the most effective window covering. Polywood plantation shutters in Chicago block heat more effectively than any other window treatment on the market, helping to keep your house at a comfortable temperature. The tilting louvers on a shutter panel also let you have a wide range of lighting options, unlike shades or draperies.

Look into interior shutters if:

You need to be able to control your lighting, home temperature, and energy-efficiency.
You want a flexible, long-lasting window treatment.
You want to add some elegance your home, and complement your existing inside trim.

Sunburst is Your Interior Shutter Pro

Chances are, if you want the value, style, and longevity of shutters, you want interior plantation shutters. Sunburst can help. Call our team at 847-250-6544 today and set up your free in-home walkthrough of what shutters can do for your space.

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